The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-12-28
Obituary.

MAcK.-John Mack, an aged and re-
spected citizen died at his home near Derry
Depot, n. IT., December Sd, aged eighty
three years, four months and twenty-one
days. Mr.. Mack was born in Plainfeld,
Vt, July II, 1904 and spent the larger part
of his life there. About 1860 he removed to
Massachusetts, remaining there six years.
In January, 1866, he purchased a place in
Derry, which was his home until his death.
Mr.. Mack was quiet man, but of more
than ordinary intelligence, of strict nteg-
rity and temperate habits He had the es-
teen of all who knew him. He was a
staunch republican in politics and an at
tendant upon the Methodist church when in
health. His wife died eighteen years ago.
His two daughters, who have so tenderly
cared for him in his declining years. are the
only surviving members of his family. For
the past nine years Mr.. Mack had suffered
from the effects of lead-poisoning, and this,
with the infrmities of age, untitled him for
much labor. He was suddenly stricken
with paralysis and in less than four days
peacefully and painlessly passed away.
His funeral was attended at his late resi-
dence on Monday, December 9TH.
WARD-Mrs. Lydia Bixby Ward was born
in Roxbury, Mass, February %, 1872, and
died in Fayston, VT, September 1, 1887.
Naturally of quick, scholarly turn of mind,
she improved all opportunities of school and
good books, and was a favorite companion
Ol neT lduHer, lneO BlXDy, one Oh une
early leading men of our town in religion
and the welfare of society. She was con-
verted at the age of fifteen, and from that
time was an earnest follower of Jesus, a
faithful worker in social meetings and influ-
ential in leading her young companions to
Christ. The Sabbath-school was in its
infancy in those days-it might well be
said in its experimental age - and,
strange to say was opposed by some who
loved the Lord and the Church; but
with her whole heart and intellect she
sought to sustain and make it a school for
Christ and his little flock. Her name was
enrolled on the first temperance pledge, and
with feeling deep and strong temperance
work was ever with her the work of God.
She was a woman of deep and varied eXpe-
rience, strong faith, conscientious even to
sensitiveness, and in long life of busy care,
bereavement and deep afilictiUn her belief
was strong in the truth of the Bible the
Church and in Christ the only Savior. In
the domestic relation she was responsive,
kind and constants with young people, al
ways interested in their advancement, en-
couraging them to motives of usefulness in
the world. She was twice marred-in May
1884, to j. c. Griggs. a Christian man, pure
and upright in all his conduct and prin-
ciples, by whom she had five children, three
of them still living. The oldest and young
est died in early womanhopd, each leaving
one child and clear testimony to faith in
Christ. Their husbands married again es-
Unable ladies whom she received with true
mother-lOve. Also an adopted son, loved
no less than her own. In November, 1868,
she married Earl Ward of DuXbury, a
highly-respected citizen and the honored
father of six grown-up sons and daughters.
All these children married so that at the
time of her death twenty-three persons
called her " mother y with perfect respect
and warm affection, one dear son-in-law
having preceded her to the spirit-land.
Her last long sickness-consumpt ption-was
borne with Christian fortitude and submis-
sion to Gods will, yet she longed to join her
loved ones in the kingdom of God. ABB.